Videos

Melissa, a receptionist and Spirituality Center staff member at St. Placid Priory, describes what drew her to the community, what brings her back, and how her relationship with the community is changing and deepening as she continues to do work at the Priory.

 

Sister Laura, writer and formation director at St. Placid Priory, describes her formation work and the most rewarding and challenging aspects of her role, and shares her advice for Benedictine vocation seekers.

 

Novice Molly, who at this time was completing her novitiate at St. Placid Priory, shares what brought her to the community, her experience as a candidate and postulant, and what community means for her.

 

Novice Molly, who was completing her novitiate at St. Placid Priory, reveals how studying scripture and the Hebrew language has enriched her call to Benedictine life, and how formation classes and the Rule of Benedict has deepened her understanding of monastic culture. She also shares some recommendations for women who are seeking a Benedictine vocation.

 

Sister Julian, an initially professed Sister at St. Placid Priory, gives us the rundown of initial profession, the three Benedictine vows, and her outside ministry as an attorney.

 

Sister Monika, a professed Sister at St. Placid Priory, shares what brought her to the community, along with her advice for Benedictine vocation seekers. She talks about intensity in community life and describes the challenge of living as a monastic.

 

Sister Monika, a professed Sister at St. Placid Priory, talks about the many hats she wears at St. Placid and speaks on her work with art and music. She shares how her approach to art has changed over the years, her future spiritual and artistic plans and talks about what art means to her.

 

Sister Laura, writer and formation director at St. Placid Priory, speaks on what got her started in writing, the motivation behind her writing, and the most meaningful work that she’s written. She also shares how her spirituality and writing have influenced one another.

 

Sister Lucy, member of the Vocations Team, describes different ways to be involved at St. Placid Priory: Associate, Oblate, Affiliate, and Claustral Oblate.

 

Sister Lucy, Vocations Team member, describes the stages to becoming fully professed as a Sister at a Benedictine monastery, from candidacy all the way to final profession. Stages are: candidacy, postulancy, novitiate, initial profession, and final profession.

 

What are some signs that I’m ready to speak to a vocations director? And how do I begin the application process? Sister Lucy and Sister Julian, the Vocation Team at St. Placid Priory, address these questions, talk about what Benedictines value, describe what they appreciate about the community, and give an overview of vocation-related information: the vocation brochure, the vocation videos, and other vocation information on the St. Placid website.

 

Sister Lucy and Sister Julian, Vocations Team at St. Placid Priory, share wisdom for young vocation seekers. They also discuss how living in community deepens one’s understanding of Benedictine spirituality.

Email Sister Julian at JCLEARY@stplacid.org or Sister Lucy at LWYNKOOP@stplacid.org , or call 360.438.1771.

 

Sister Angela Hoffman, scientist, believes science and religion go hand in hand. One answers “what” and the other “why.” As a professor at the University of Portland, she describes ways she connects with students in research. Her own research is looking for sources of taxol, an anti-cancer drug, and for new antibiotics. In the Benedictine way of life, she says, you serve God. It does not exclude being a scientist.

 

Sister Damaris Zander, now deceased, was a founding member of St. Placid Priory. She describes her experience of entering St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota. She shares a few stories of St. Placid’s beginning. Her wisdom for new seekers is: Pray; and realize that a vocation is a gift from God.

 

Sister Dorothy Robinson, a mother who became a Benedictine Sister, describes her call to enter St. Placid Priory. The strongest attraction for her was the sense of community, which felt like coming home. Her story includes what it was like to sell her house and let go of possessions. How the Sisters regard her and her family; how being accepted and loved by a community feels. She tells how she stays in touch with her family. Her invitation to seekers is to “Come and see.”

 

Sister Maureen, the discerner, speaks about how she became more involved in the Church and her experience as a Benedictine Oblate–where she learned about Benedictine spirituality. Listening to her heart helped her know that coming to St. Placid Priory was right for her. She speaks of running toward “seeking God.” Formerly she was a high tech person. In entering St. Placid she shares how she mutually discerned with the community. “Discernment: a way of life” continues to happen individually and in community.